2 cops injured breaking up brawl outside Hoboken bar

HOBOKEN -- Two police officers were injured and four people were arrested during an early morning fight outside of a Washington Street bar on Saturday, police said.

As many as 40 people were involved in the 4 a.m. incident near Hoboken Bar and Grill, Hoboken Police Chief Ken Ferrante said.

Officers patrolling Washington Street noticed a large fight involving men and women. While police were trying to break up the crowd, "small pockets" of fights began to form, authorities said.

At one point, 23-year-old Christian Caputo threw police officer Michael Losurdo to the ground. Losurdo was able to place Caputo under arrest, despite suffering a leg, ear, and head injury, police said.

Two other men -- later identified as Robert Rosario, 21, and Frank Henderson, 22 -- tried pulling on Caputo to help him avoid being arrested. Rosario and Henderson fled the area after police regained control of Caputo, authorities said.

Last night, we had 2 @HobokenPD officers from our midnight shift injured breaking up a brawl involving 40 people. Fortunately, injuries are not serious but 1 Sgt is now out of work inj. Bars or restaurants that can't control crowds will not be tolerated.4 arrests for Agg Assault.

Officers led Caputo to a police car and a crowd began to form around them. Sgt. Michael Costello tried creating a pathway when 21-year-old Hashim Dyer jumped on top of the cop from behind, police said. Costello suffered a back injury.

Rosario and Henderson were both brought into custody a short time later, authorities said.

NJ Transit, State Police, North Bergen, and Port Authority all assisted Hoboken "during the moment of chaos."